Trauma, coping, and depression among women with HIV/AIDS in New York City

Among 230 HIV-positive women in New York City, we examined the association of retrospective self-reports of sexual and physical abuse, current coping strategies and depressive symptomatology (CES-D scores). Results revealed a high prevalence of abuse in childhood (50%) and adulthood (68%); 7% reported physical assault or rape in the last 90 days. As expected, childhood abuse was significantly correlated with both adult and recent trauma, and each type of trauma correlated with CES-D scores. Childhood abuse also positively correlated with the frequency of current adaptive and avoidant coping strategies, although avoidant coping had a stronger (negative) association with CES-D scores. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed the association between childhood abuse and CES-D scores persisted even after controlling for relevant demographic variables, more recent trauma and coping strategies. Implications for improving the psychological functioning of women living with HIV/AIDS are discussed.